SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Gas Turbine Power Plant Process Controller 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118111  Occupational Certificate: Gas Turbine Power Plant Process Controller 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-EWSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2021-03-25  2025-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31   2029-12-31  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Gas Turbine Power Plant Process Controller. A Gas Turbine Power Plant Process Controller operates, controls, inspects, monitors, adjusts and maintains gas turbine power plant systems and equipment.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Monitor, operate and control gas turbine power plant systems.
  • Monitor, operate and control the electrical plant in a gas power plant environment.
  • Maintain operations records and logs.
  • Plan and coordinate resources for energy conversion processes, operations and activities within a gas turbine power plant.
  • Perform operational maintenance and repairs on a gas turbine power plant.
  • Verify and complete gas turbine operations documentation.

    Rationale:
    South Africa, like any other country which has constant population growth is faced with a crisis in energy demand and supply. The power generated by the gas turbine is crucial to meet electricity demand during peak and emergency periods. The industry indicated that there is a need for the use of gas turbines to facilitate the provision of energy to the national grid within short timeframes, as well as terminate the supply of energy when necessary to ensure stable grid frequency.

    The efficient control of the gas turbine power plant contributes largely towards a stable national grid ensuring continuity of power supply to the South African residential and industrial consumers including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries thus contributing directly to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This qualification will provide the potential learners with a requisite set of competencies to ensure that gas turbine power plants are controlled for optimal performance. The targeted learners include currently employed individuals within ESKOM and those intending to join the power industry in general. It will also provide employment opportunities within the power industries as well as Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

    The qualification will create a learning pathway thus providing the learner with articulation possibilities horizontally to the Fossil, Hydro and Nuclear Power Plant Process Controller qualifications pegged at NQF Level 6. Currently there is no qualification registered on the NQF that the learner could vertically articulate to, however it is anticipated that an occupational certificate for power plant operations manager will be developed at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and Science.
    Or
  • Qualified Artisan in related trade. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 313401-000-00-00-KM-01, Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting the Gas Turbine Power Plant Operations, Level 5, 25 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-KM-02, Technical Power Plant Fundamentals, Level 5, 65 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-KM-03, Gas Turbine Power Plant Main Components and Support Systems, Level 6, 40 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-KM-04, Gas Turbine Power Plant Support and Associated Systems , Level 6, 15 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-KM-05, Principles and Methods of Physical Plant and Control Room Monitoring, Level 6, 15 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 160

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 313401-000-00-00-PM-01, Monitor, Operate and Control the Gas Power Plant Support Systems, Level 6, 25 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-PM-02, Monitor, Operate and Control the Gas Power Plant Unit System, Level 7, 50 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-PM-03, Monitor, Operate and Control the Electrical Plant in a Gas Power Plant Environment, Level 6, 25 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-PM04, Maintain Operations Records and Logs, Level 6, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 105

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 313401-000-00-00-WM-01, Gas Balance of Plant Operation Processes, Level 6, 25 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-WM-02, Gas Unitised Power Plant Operation Processes, Level 7, 40 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-WM-03, Electrical Reticulation Monitoring, Operating and Controlling Processes, Level 6, 15 Credits.
  • 313401-000-00-00-WM-04, Plant Operations Documentation and Recording Processes, Level 6, 15 Credits.
    Total Number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 95 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate, operate and control the balance of plant systems.
    2. Evaluate, operate and control unit plant systems.
    3. Evaluate, operate and control electrical plant systems.
    4. Evaluate, operate and control the power generation process in a control room. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Evaluate and explain the functions of various components and systems within the balance of plant in terms of their inter-dependency in the power generation process.
  • Utilise relevant technical procedures and plant trends to monitor critical parameters in order to take corrective actions during normal and out-of-normal conditions.
  • Prioritise actions to be taken based on diagnosis of alarms and trends during incident/emergency conditions.
  • Read and interpret plant diagram to identify inaccuracies and optimal plant layout and configuration.
  • Evaluate emergency conditions that result from plant automatic control failures and the appropriate actions to manually manipulate the system when required to safeguard the plant and personnel.
  • Monitor and assess plant status to determine operation within the parameters, and carry out adjustments to ensure continuity of supply of resources.
  • Explain and apply the methodology of optimising gas power plant systems during the power generation processes to ensure the plant system functions to designed specifications.
  • Operate and control the balance of plant systems in accordance with standard operating procedures.
  • Maintain safe working procedures and practices in line with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Explain and apply the principles, laws, regulations and standards applicable to gas power plant operations within plant context.
  • Explain and adhere to communication protocols and procedures during normal, out-of-normal and emergency conditions.
  • Explain and apply safe working practices and implement risk and hazard management policies and procedures to prevent/reduce risks associated with gas turbine operation.
  • Explain and apply fault-finding and principles, methods and techniques to locate, diagnose and troubleshooting faults in a balance of plant systems.
  • Identify and complete relevant documentation correctly during and after each operational task in gas power plant operations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Evaluate and explain the functions of various components and systems within the unit plant in terms of their inter-dependency in the power generation process.
  • Monitor critical parameters using relevant technical procedures or documents to establish plant trends to take corrective actions during normal and out-of-normal conditions.
  • Prioritise actions to be taken based on diagnosis of alarms and trends during incident/ emergency conditions.
  • Read and interpret human machine interface (HMI) schematics to identify inaccuracies and optimal plant layout and configuration.
  • Evaluate emergency conditions that result from plant automatic control failures and the appropriate actions to manually manipulate the system when required to safeguard the plant and personnel.
  • Monitor and assess plant status to determine operation within the parameters, and carry out adjustments to ensure continuity of supply of resources.
  • Explain and apply the methodology of optimising unitised gas power plant systems during the power generation processes to ensure the plant system functions to designed specifications.
  • Operate and control the unit plant systems in accordance with standard operating procedures.
  • Maintain safe working procedures and practices in line with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Explain and apply the principles, laws, regulations and standards applicable to gas power plant operations within plant context.
  • Explain and adhere to communication protocols and procedures during normal, out-of-normal and emergency conditions.
  • Explain and apply safe working practices and implement risk and hazard management policies and procedures to prevent/reduce risks associated with unitised gas turbine operation.
  • Fault-finding and methods and techniques are explained and applied to locate, diagnose and rectify faults in unit plant systems.
  • Identify and complete relevant documentation correctly during and after each operational task in gas power plant operations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Maintain the work area and observe health and safety requirements when performing fault-finding activity.
  • Identify and describe the steps to follow to carry out fault diagnosis on user radio equipment.
  • Describe the characteristics and causes of specific faults/problems on user radio equipment.
  • Describe the procedures applicable to isolation and lock-out or permit-to-work.
  • Describe the various types of fault diagnostic equipment to locate and repair the fault(s).
  • Explain the procedures to use, care and handle the various test instruments.
  • Explain the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment when carrying fault diagnostic activity.
  • Identify and describe possible hazards and risks associated with carrying out fault diagnosis on user radio equipment and ways to prevent or minimise the potential risks.
  • Explain the various fault-finding techniques and their application.
  • Explain how to determine sensory conditions in fault finding activities.
  • Explain the precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic circuits and components.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Monitor and control the various processes and control systems within the gas power plant to achieve optimal performance in the power generation process.
  • Monitor critical parameters using relevant technical procedures or documents to establish plant trends to take corrective actions during normal and out-of-normal conditions.
  • Monitor and prioritise plant processes including alarms and trends, and take correct action during out-of-normal and emergency conditions.
  • Read and interpret HMI schematics to identify inaccuracies and optimal plant layout and configurations.
  • Evaluate emergency conditions that result from plant automatic control failures and the appropriate actions to manually manipulate the system when required to safeguard the plant and personnel.
  • Maintain safe working procedures, laws and regulations in line with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Explain and adhere to communication protocols and procedures during normal, out-of-normal and emergency conditions.
  • Identify and complete relevant documentation correctly during and after each operational task in gas power plant operations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the external integrated summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is aligned to standards in the gas turbine industry in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and internationally.

    A comparison was conducted in countries with best practice in gas turbine controller training and development at international and regional levels. The comparison focused on countries with qualifications frameworks, professional development programmes, learning programmes, apprenticeships and short courses targeting Gas Turbine Process Controllers. Countries searched for comparison included the Netherlands, Australia and the United Kingdom. The results of the search in all the countries indicate that there are no full qualifications focused on a Gas Turbine Process Controller at any level except short courses within the gas turbine environment.

    United Kingdom (UK): ESD Simulation Training:
    This training institution offers a short course at undergraduate level and is targeted at engineers and operations personnel that are required to grasp the principles of gas turbine operations and configurations. The course is structured to cover turbine power generation as well as compressors and pumps. It also offers a comprehensive overview of gas turbine operation and control. The course content covers:
  • Introduction gas turbine operation.
  • Basic Design.
  • Thermodynamics.
  • Gas Generator Compressor.
  • Combustion.
  • Control Strategies.
  • Safeguarding.
  • Emissions.
  • Efficiency.

    Australia:
    The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) offers an interactive online Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies with content focused on gas turbine engineering. The course covers the following modules:
  • Basic thermodynamic principles behind gas turbines.
  • Basic operation of a gas turbine.
  • Operation and function of gas turbine components.
  • Troubleshooting and maintenance.
  • Gas turbine materials and fuels.
  • Condition monitoring and maintenance.

    Netherlands:
    Ansaldo Thomassen offers a training course on heavy-duty gas turbines for undergraduates as well as operators and mechanical maintenance personnel who are the end users of gas turbines. The training course introduces learners to the various types of gas turbines, their operation as well as basic maintenance.

    The course covers the following modules:
  • Principles of operation of a gas turbine.
  • Various types of gas turbines.
  • Major components of gas turbines.
  • Auxiliary equipment of gas turbines.
  • Maintenance requirements.
  • Gas turbine operation.
  • Gas turbine control system.
  • Use of the operator interface.

    Conclusion:
    The South African qualification compares favourably with the short courses in terms of content although the modules are not titled the same but differs in terms of duration and qualification structure as the identified courses range from two days to three months whereas South Africa offers a full qualification comprising of three components, namely, knowledge modules, practical skills modules and work experience modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Fossil Power Plant Process Controller, NQF Level 6.
  • Occupational Certificate: Hydro Power Plant Process Controller, NQF Level 6.
  • Occupational Certificate: Nuclear Power Plant Process Controller, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Currently there is no qualification registered on the NQF that the learner could articulate to vertically, however it is anticipated that an occupational certificate for power plant operations manager will be developed at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for the external integrated summative assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Physical Requirements:
  • Medical Fitness Certificate.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
  • Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is Gas Turbine Power Plant Process Controller: 313401-000-00-00.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • None.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
  • Energy and Water Sector Education and Training (EWSETA).

    Related Part-Qualifications:
  • None 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.